The Georgian ruling Party of the Georgian Dream on Friday announced that a considerably criticized foreign influence Act similar to Russian legislation will arrange a “accurate, literal” copy of the US Act on Foreign Agents (Fara). AFP Agencies.
The US Law imposes on lobbyists and lawyers to notify that they work on behalf of foreign interests, but media organizations are exempt from this obligation. The opponents of this announced change argue that its aim is only to silence the public criticism of the aforementioned Georgian Act on Foreign Influence. However, they believe that the new legislation will not bring a real change.
The Georgian dream did not give the reason for the announced change. He only declared that it responds to “recent scandals concerning the use of foreign funds for political riots in Georgia”. AFP explains that such rhetoric is usually used by the Georgian government when, without evidence, accuses the West of funding “revolution” in the country. The ruling party also announced on Friday that “compulsory involvement of non -governmental organizations in public decision -making will no longer be needed” which AFP describes as the next step against civil society.
The Georgian dream was enforced last May by the controversial law on the transparency of foreign influence, despite the mass protests and the negative attitude of the international partners of Tbilisi.
The law is similar to the Russian
Legislation requires any independent non -governmental or media organization in Georgia to be registered as “an organization following the interests of a foreign power” if it receives at least a fifth of the funds from abroad for its financing. -criticized the West, including the EU and in Georgia itself caused mass protests.
Georgia is currently in the deep political crisis persistent since the elections in question in October 2024, in which the ruling Party of the Georgian Dream won. The results of the elections were rejected by the European Parliament and the government in Tbilisi, in response to this by the end of 2028, suspended negotiations on joining the EU. Subsequently, mass protests broke out again in Georgia.
The police have already detained hundreds of people on demonstrations, and according to the human rights organization against demonstrators, they also intervene using physical strength. The government defends the police, saying that demonstrators often commit riots. Earlier this week, the government presented a package of legislative proposals to tighten the penalties for crimes during public protests.
EU chief Kaja Kallas criticized Tbilisi on Friday, stating that these measures are “a serious obstacle to the democratic development” of the country and “significantly weaken the right to freedom of expression, freedom of collection and media freedom”. She accused the Georgian government of resorting to “intimidation and violence” in order to silence any disagreement.
